When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

In the past 30 years, light artists have reimagined an art form that has always had the ability to turn the night sky, or a simple window, into luminescence. Last fall, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts turned its southern glass wall into a parade of sound-sensing lights, Lightswarm, that changes with the movements of nearby people and things. Future Cities Lab, the San Francisco design company behind Lightswarm, has originated another notable light sculpture. Located by the YBCA's steps at 701 Mission, Murmur Wall will light up in arresting ways as it incorporates local trending search engine results and social media postings. Onlookers can offer their own contributions, which will feed into the Murmur Wall's data stream and light up the sculpture. What's trending in San Francisco? If you're walking by the YBCA, you can see firsthand — at least through light patterns that reflect the city's volatile internet habits.
Murmur Wall debuts Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues through May 31, 2017, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. Free; 415-978-2700 or ybca.org. More

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An inconspicuous doorway off Valencia Street leads to a treasure trove of zines and 10,000-plus hours of sound and video recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s, all charting the progressive history of the Bay and its effect on global radical movements.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Law & Order
Tyler Florence, Celebrity Chef, Sued for "Bailing" on Business Partners

Here is something for celebrity chef Tyler Florence to chew on. His ex-business partners filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing him of pushing them out of a deal to open an upscale restaurant in downtown San Francisco.

According to the lawsuit, Florence, who has appeared on the Food Network, in 2007 approached the plaintiffs, Michael Musleh, Hani Musleh, DBA HLC Enterprises, and Martel and Nabiel Inc., as well as DBA M&N Promotions. He asked for financial backing for his new restaurant which would be located on the ground floor of Hotel Vertigo at 940 Sutter.

The plaintiffs agreed to help with the startup's cost, branding, and promotion of Bar Florence, which would feature the chef's American classic cuisine. A contract was signed, less than a year into the lease, the landlord defaulted, and Florence bailed, according to the lawsuit.

"They were partners, and essentially Tyler pulled the plug," says Eric Miller, who is representing the plaintiffs in the case. He said his clients spent upward of $175,000 on the restaurant that never came to fruition.

Attorneys representing Florence have not responded to an e-mail or phone calls.

The plaintiffs believe that Florence was able to open his new restaurant because of their investment. So now they want a piece of Wayfare Tavern. "We view it as he was a partner in our deal, and he moved the deal down the street," Miller says.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"